Friday, April 24, 2015

Iraq 2.0

When I speak about Iraq, and defend the dignity of its people vociferously, it is not an exercise in petty nationalism. Flags and maps mean nothing on their own. Especially when those flags and maps are the weapons that are used to kill us.

When I speak about Iraq, I am not discussing some abstract political development that is unfolding on the pages of a newspaper, or dancing slowly in a ticker across the bottom of a TV screen. I am engaging in a conversation about the conditions that have shaped the conditions of my life, and that continue to do so.

Throughout my childhood, and even to this day, being Iraqi determined all the details of my life. From the cultural expressions that colored my home to more inescapable facts such as where I was permitted to live, Iraq was there, like a beautiful painting etched across the width of my face.

A few months ago, I buried my father in Canada, thousands of miles away from where he grew up, shaped his dreams, fell in love, and fought for a better future for his community. All his life, he struggled with the perverted realities that have consumed his beloved Baghdad. Eventually, the death that consumed Iraq, consumed him.

We are in exile, privileged to live in air conditioned bubbles that we now call our homes. But never for a moment, will I let my comfort suffocate the realities that make me who I am. And all of these realities are Iraq, whatever that means today, no matter how muted or brilliant they are manifested. How can I stay silent when Iraq shapes my tongue and molds my heart, sets my mind alight and holds my spirits in the company of the gods at night?

Forgive me if I am angry, unforgiving, and even crazy at times. But, I'm watching everything that I am disintegrate before my own eyes. I don't want to live off the fumes of nostalgia, and move through this world with my eyes wide shut. I want to play an active role in telling stories, sharing memories, highlighting brilliance in the face of utter destruction, and starting uncomfortable conversations no matter the suitability of the time and place.

I am not perfect. I am still learning to create the inclusive spaces that we deserve so we can share our tragedies and celebrate our achievements without breaking apart the ground that we stand on. Sectarianism is a poisonous tree that waters itself. Iraq is for everyone, and it is many different things for different people, and we must respect and cherish that.

I hope that through the humble steps I take in spaces such as shakomakoNET, and other future projects, I can give something back to Iraq, seeing that it has given me everything that I have today.

6 comments:

All the above specified food sources can increase the level of calcium in your body. Hence feel free to make use of calcium in daily diet schedule. Best Testosterone Boosters Increased level of cortisol is one among the causes of testosterone deficiency. How to increase the level of testosterone in body safely and naturally? This question is quite common from people. As said earlier, lessening the level of cortisol can reduce the risk of testosterone deficiency in body.

Eating right and healthy alone will help you reach your weight goals. But exercising on a regular basis will increase this weight gain. Best BCAA Supplements Having light meals that include raw fruits and vegetables, and small servings of lean protein and brown rice. The intake of extra fiber will assist your system keep on to move easily as you attempt the fast. Eating every few hours makes it harder to exercise. Your body will always be digesting and that requires blood.

Have you ever asked this question: what are the best weight loss pills for women? Many women have already asked this question, and the answer was not easy to find. Premium Pure Keto So many weight loss supplements are available on the market, many women want to lose weight, but it is still very confused. If you add to that fact that most of these diet pills have side effects, the choice becomes even more difficult!

Thus, in the start of your weight-loss journey make a determination about just what you wish to accomplish whenever your reach the conclusion of your weight reduction program. Getting everyone around you Ketozin involved in the weight reduction program is among the best things that you can opt to do. The South Beach Diet is a distinctive way to not just jump start your weight reduction program, but in addition develop healthful eating habits that will continue to assist you drop some weight, and above all, keep it off.

Eating right and healthy alone will help you reach your weight goals. But exercising on a regular basis will increase this weight gain. Having light meals that include raw fruits and vegetables, and small servings of lean protein and brown rice. The intake of extra fiber will assist your system keep on to move easily as you attempt the fast. Retro Lean Forskolin Eating every few hours makes it harder to exercise. Your body will always be digesting and that requires blood.

This herbal pill stimulates your pituitary gland and releases HGH. It supplements your body with L-Dopa that nullifies the effect of prolactin. Best Testosterone Boosters Therefore, it safeguards testosterone. It ensures healthy hormonal balance. It safeguards your mental and physical health. Musli Kaunch Shakti capsule, which is one of the best herbal supplements to increase testosterone volume, is available in the denomination of 216, 72, 288 and 144 capsules at reputed online stores. You can place order for these herbal supplements from the comfort of home.